Tourists traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to the central coast will have more options this month with discounted tours being launched jointly by tourism agencies and the railways following an agreement they signed on November 9.

The agreement was signed by the Saigon Railway Transport Company and the tourism associations of HCMC and the provinces of Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Binh Dinh.

The signatories also promised to improve services while at the same time offering introductory discounts on tours from HCMC to these provinces.

Dinh Van Sang, deputy director of the Saigon Railway Transport Company, said fares would be reduced by 20 percent for early bookings by tour operators.

“We have high-quality cars with services required by tourism agencies, including good meals, Wi-Fi, comfortable chairs, and clean toilets.”

Nguyen The Vinh, deputy director of Saigontourist, said the company has created new tours that would be launched when the railway company announces the fares.

Nguyen Thi Khanh, deputy chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, said: “We have many things to do to make train tours more attractive. But one thing is for sure: tourism will be part of all train routes soon.”

The HCMC Tourism Association has tie-ups with several airlines too, and has this year sold more than 100,000 tours at 20-40 percent discount.